Top-class games in offing

POPULAR: David Wickham has captained the NZ Evergreens.

Croquet will be the centre of sporting attraction in Wairarapa this coming weekend.

Contesting the Central Premier Silver Badge tournament at the Masterton and Carrington clubs will be many of the top players in the country, seven of whom are ranked among the top 100 in the world and two - Toby Garrison and Greg Bryant - in the top 10.

Even they, however, will have to play second fiddle to Masterton's David Wickham in the popularity stakes. Wickham, who won the national singles title in 2012, has a world ranking of 63 and is quite capable of giving those with higher ratings a good run for their money.

For the Wairarapa Croquet Association, it is a huge coup to be given the honour of hosting a tourney of this magnitude and members of the Masterton club, whose headquarters are at Queen Elizabeth Park, and the Carrington club, who are based behind the clock tower in Carterton, have been working hard to ensure their facilities are in tip-top shape for the big occasion. Play will be continuous at both clubs from 8.30am to 6pm over the two days.

This will be the first of two major events to be staged by the Wairarapa association this season with a women's invitation event to be held here next February. It, too, is expected to attract a high-quality field.

Brief profiles of the prime contenders for the Central Premier Silver Badge tournament, public entry to which is free, are:

TOBY GARRISON: Garrison was a silver medallist at the 2002 world championships. He has played for New Zealand in two MacRobertson Shield events against Australia, England and the United States, captaining them in 2003. He has repped for his country in transtasman tests, world championships and, on three occasions, in the Sonoma Cutrer world tournament played in the US. Garrison is the New Zealand open champion. Club: Waimarie Lower Hutt. World ranking: 4.

GREG BRYANT: Bryant was Player of the Year and New Zealand open champion in 2011. He was a MacRobertson Shield team member in 1993, 2003, 2006 and 2010 and a member of New Zealand's transtasman test team from 2004 to 2011. Bryant has played in five world championships and has won several national doubles titles. He is the New Zealand Croquet national development officer. Club: Wellington. World ranking: 6.

PAUL SKINLEY: Skinley started playing croquet as a member of the Dannevirke club at a young age. He has amassed an impressive record at international level including MacRobertson Shield wins in 1979 and 1986. Skinley has won three New Zealand open titles and numerous other open and invitation events. Club: Wellington. World ranking: 26.

MICHAEL WRIGHT: Wright began his croquet career at the Marton Croquet Club in 1999. Highlights include playing in the MacRobertson Shield where he won five of his singles matches. He has won an open doubles title in partnership with Englishman Ian Lines. Club: Wellington. World ranking: 53.

DAVID WICKHAM: Wickham joined the Masterton Croquet Club as a junior and is a very gifted player who has secured many major titles, junior and senior. He won the NZ singles title in 2012, played in the 2012 world championships and has captained the New Zealand Evergreens team. He also repped for New Zealand in last year's transtasman tests. Club: Masterton. World ranking: 63.

STEVE JONES: English-born Jones has captained New Zealand's MacRobertson Shield team. He has also won a Sonoma Cutrer title and played in five world championships. Club: Hastings.World ranking: 78.

HARPS TAHURANGI: Tahurangi made a statement at the world championships in Adelaide last season when he defeated top English contender Steven Mulliner. He has won the NZ Heenan Plate and repped for his country in last season's transtasman tests. Club: Wellington. World ranking: 92.

AITKEN HAKES: Hakes had his early croquet education at the Masterton club. Known for his flamboyant style, he has tasted success at top level in golf and association croquet. Hakes won the John Prince Trophy for runner-up at the 2007 New Zealand Open. Club: Wellington. World ranking: 106.

SUE LEA: Lea is a very experienced player who has repped for New Zealand in transtasman tests. Club: Waimarie. World ranking: 144.

PETER FILBEE: A regular on the NZ tournament circuit, Filbee played in the world championships in England. He is a steady player who completes triples on a regular basis. Club: Hawera. World ranking: 149.

LEN LEA: Lea has worked hard on his game over the past couple of seasons and, consequently, has climbed steadily in the rankings. Club: Waimarie. World ranking: 240.

DICK SMITH: Smith is another regular on the national circuit after playing in Australia for several years. He is now settled in the capital. Club: Wellington. World ranking: 272.

KEVIN FELLOW: A well-respected coach - Toby Garrison is one of his proteges - and referee, Fellow has upped his number of tournaments and is always difficult to beat with his tactically-correct approach.